Knowledge-based Development and Its Relation to Economic Prosperity in Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper explains how integrative knowledge-based development can contribute to economic growth and social development as an important field of research. We show how it would be useful for country-specific demands and issues, and the significance of investment in knowledge-based research and the importance of universities in the practice and advancement of integrative approaches of knowledge-based development. Academic communities still prefer knowledge and research from applied sciences and physical sciences to contribute to government policies and initiatives in the context of development. But there is less attention paid to the contribution of the social sciences to economic and social development. Recently, research has been emphasized that incorporates multidisciplinary approaches in problem solving and best solutions for improving social, environmental, political, and economic crises. Though knowledge-based development is an international phenomenon, the concept of knowledge-based development as a form of capital and a well managed investment is still not realized in developing countries compared with developed countries. Universities are a platform to promote and advance knowledge-based development by cultivating multidisciplinary and integrative research beyond individual discipline boundaries.

A knowledge-based development model for primate cities of the developing world

“…Biao et al (2013),Jenkins (2013),Roy (2005) andSietchiping et al (2012), drawing on the experiences of urbanization in Africa, demonstrate that urbanization processes in the developing world are intrinsically different with regard to their social, political, economic and technological context from those of the developed world.As a result, different approaches which are grounded in the contextual reality of these countries are essential. This view is also supported by the findings of other development researchers(Atiqul Haq, 2012; UNDESA, 2012;UN-HABITAT, 2014) who point to limitations in such areas as national statistical capabilities and institutional capacities. Consequently, the maturity model is designed to use, as its data input, qualitative assessments of city maturity obtained by interviewing experts knowledgeable about the city and its specific context.…”

“…Consequently, the field is still in a preparadigmatic phase with methodologies, frameworks and approaches still evolving (Ritter, 2006;. Although cities in developing countries represent the spaces with the greatest potentialpositive and negative -for human growth over the coming years of this century, the bulk of the academic research in this field appears to be addressed towards the developed country context (Atiqul Haq, 2012;Jenkins,2013;Roy, 2005). Much of this inquiry has focused on leading global cities in the developed world with attention given to the role of technology, specialization, reputation, knowledge workers and their impact on the attractiveness and competitiveness of these cities (Carrillo, 2004;Dickman, 2012;Ergazakis et al, 2008;Florida, 2004;Luethge & Byosiere, 2006;Sharma et al, 2008Sharma et al, , 2009Yigitcanlar et al, 2007).…”

“…Developing countries are not well prepared to cope with the challenges of rapid population growth and urbanization. Research on cities is still focused on those of the developed world whose conditions and context are materially different from those of the developing world (Atiqul Haq, 2012;Jenkins, 2013;Roy, 2005). Accordingly, this limits the generalizability of existing research.…”